This 25-question fun but useful worksheet was developed to help introduce beginning chemistry students at all levels to the names and pronunciations of the chemical elements. I use it in the first few days of the course right after I have given them the Element Pronunciation Sheet and periodic table. The answers to all the corny definitions are a chemical element's name (some are quite a stretch). The ulterior motive is that in searching for answers in the list of element names, and in pronouncing them to themselves and each other, beginning students begin to familiarize themselves with the elements' names and pronuciations, draw on their own and each others' critical thinking skills and prior knowledge to solve problems, get a chance to meet class members by working cooperatively with them, and have a good laugh at a time when many are nervous about the course (some of the definitions are very corny).
I recommend using this worksheet with groups of 2-4 students working together (ideally ones who may not know each other well), being able to talk among themselves, and allowing 20-30 minutes for them to work. I give a verbal celebration of the group that gets the most correct, then to everyone for trying. Gifted students can be pretty quick with this sheet and love it. Others like it too, but have to rely more on the wider group to help come up with the answers.
Students who speak English as a second language often have trouble with this sheet (and with the phonetic pronunciations) but enjoy being in a supportive group that includes them in the laughs and can explain some idioms as they come up. (In using this sheet, I would distribute ELL students among other groups rather than having them work as a group together.)
Do begin the activity with a disclaimer about how corny these are, and laugh along with them, giving hints as you feel compelled.
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My experience includes 28 years teaching secondary science in public and private high schools, including work with severely emotionally disturbed adolescents in a hospital setting, affluent students in a private school setting, homeschool students, and most recently public school students. Of the last 12 years, I've taught two years in a very large affluent suburban high school with privileged students, but most recently my passion has been to work with a large low income minority population in the outskirts of Atlanta. Most recently I have taught Chemistry and AP Chemistry, with some Physics and Physical Science. Through the years I have also taught Earth Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Genetics, and Microbiology. I have also served as Science Division Chair at our high school, and served on a number of curriculum and test writing teams on a local and state level.
